Inaugural UAAP Junior High School Boys’ Basketball champion, National University Nazareth School, hasn’t had the ideal start in its quest to become the event’s first-ever back-to-back champion.
The Bullpups lost their first two games of the season, falling to the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers and the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, before finally securing a wire-to-wire victory against the UP Integrated School Fighting Maroons.
NSNU head coach Kevin de Castro acknowledged that the team is undergoing a rebuilding phase after the graduation of key players Shaun Lucido, Rob Celiz, and Mot Matias to senior high school.
With a newly formed and young roster, NSNU is dealing with growing pains, making it all the more important for the team not to get complacent or satisfied with their current performance.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“We’re far from over. Hindi pa ako totally satisfied, though may mga improvement, game by game nagiimprove, pero yung sinasabi ko sa kanila, hindi tayo pwede maging satisfied,” the third-year coach said.
“Kailangan pagtrabahuin pa natin kasi totally this year, talagang mahina yung team natin.”
Even after their commanding 18-point win over UPIS, De Castro emphasized the need for the Bullpups to sharpen their defensive schemes to contain opponents’ offensive threats.
In their game against UPIS, NSNU’s defense allowed two Fighting Maroons players to score over 29 points—Bruce Tubongbanua exploded for 33, while Jhustin Hallare added 29.
“Kailangan pa talaga nila, as a player, i-improve yung defense namin, kasama na rin yung bad habits nila. ‘Yun yung kailangan namin i-work out. Kung gusto talaga nila maachieve yung goal namin this year, kailangan pagtrabahuin nila individually and as a team,” the former Bulldog shared.
With plenty of room for improvement, De Castro is looking to key returnee Chester Tulabut to lead by example.
Tulabut, who had a stellar game with 24 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and three assists against UPIS, will be counted on not just for his offensive output but also to develop the leadership and maturity necessary for NSNU’s title defense.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, ito na yung team natin, wala na tayong magagawa, kailangan nandiyan yung leadership and maturity mo. Yung scoring mo naman given na ‘yon, pero more especially, yung depensa niya, kailangan niya i-work out,” the Taytay, Rizal native bared.
